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Abstract:

A blade for a torque converter, including: a body with first and second
blade side surfaces and a blade edge surface connecting the first and
second blade side surfaces; and a tab extending from the blade edge
surface and arranged for insertion through an opening in a core ring for
the torque converter. The tab includes: a distal end furthest from the
blade edge surface; first and second tab edge surfaces in communication
with the distal end; and first and second indentations in the first and
second tab edge surfaces, respectively, between the distal end and the
blade edge surface. The core ring forms at least respective portions of
respective inner circumferences for a turbine and pump for the torque
converter. After insertion through the opening, the tab is arranged to be
bent along a line connecting the indentations so that a portion of the
tab engages the core ring.

Claims:

1. A blade for a torque converter, comprising: a body with first and
second blade side surfaces and a blade edge surface connecting the first
and second blade side surfaces; and, a first tab extending from the blade
edge surface and arranged for insertion through an opening in a core ring
for the torque converter, the first tab including: a distal end furthest
from the blade edge surface; first and second tab edge surfaces in
communication with the distal end; and, first and second indentations in
the first and second tab edge surfaces, respectively, between the distal
end and the blade edge surface, wherein: the core ring forms at least
respective portions of respective inner circumferences for a turbine and
pump for the torque converter; and, after insertion through the opening,
the first tab is arranged to be bent along a line connecting the first
and second indentations so that a portion of the first tab engages the
core ring.

2. The blade of claim 1, wherein: the first and second tab edge surfaces
are connected to the blade edge surface at first and second connecting
areas, respectively; and, the first and second indentations are located
between the distal end and the first and second connecting areas,
respectively.

3. The blade of claim 2, wherein: the first tab edge surface includes a
first portion between the first indentation and the first connection
area, and a second portion between the distal end and the first
indention; and, the first and second portions are aligned.

4. The blade of claim 2, wherein: the second tab edge surface includes a
first portion between the second indentation and the second connection
area, and a second portion between the distal end and the second
indention; and, the first and second portions are aligned.

5. The blade of claim 1, wherein: the first tab includes first and second
tab side surfaces continuous with the first and second blade side
surfaces, respectively; and, the first or second tab side surface is
arranged to engage the core ring.

6. The blade of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one second
tab extending from the blade edge surface and arranged to engage a
turbine shell or a pump shell for the turbine or the pump, respectively.

7. A torque converter, comprising: a turbine with a turbine shell; a pump
with a pump shell; a core ring with an opening passing through the core
ring; and, a blade including: a body with a blade edge surface; at least
one first tab extending from the blade edge surface and connected to the
pump shell or the turbine shell; and, a second tab extending from the
blade edge surface and partially disposed within the opening in the core
ring, the second tab including: a distal end; first and second tab edge
surfaces in communication with the distal end; and, first and second
indentations in the first and second tab edge surfaces, respectively,
between the distal end and the blade edge surface, wherein the second tab
is bent along a line connecting the first and second indentations so that
a portion of the second tab engages the core ring.

8. The torque converter of claim 7, wherein: the first and second tab
edge surfaces are connected to the blade edge surface at first and second
connecting areas, respectively; and, the first and second indentations
are located between the distal end and the first and second connecting
areas, respectively.

9. The torque converter of claim 8, wherein: the first tab edge surface
includes a first portion between the first indentation and the first
connection area, and a second portion between the distal end and the
first indention; and, the first and second portions are aligned.

10. The torque converter of claim 8, wherein: the second tab edge surface
includes a first portion between the second indentation and the second
connection area, and a second portion between the distal end and the
second indention; and, the first and second portions are aligned.

11. The torque converter of claim 7, wherein: the blade includes first
and second blade side surfaces connected by the blade edge surface; the
second tab includes first and second tab side surfaces continuous with
the first and second blade side surfaces, respectively; and, the first or
second tab side surface engages the core ring.

12. A method of assembling a torque converter including: a turbine with a
turbine shell; a pump with a pump shell; and a core ring disposing
between the turbine shell and the pump shell and including an opening
passing through the core ring, the method comprising: forming a body of a
blade with a blade edge surface; forming at least one first tab extending
from the blade edge surface; forming a second tab extending from the
blade edge surface and including: a distal end; first and second tab edge
surfaces connected to the blade edge surface at first and second
connecting areas, respectively, and in communication with the distal end;
and, first and second indentations in the first and second tab edge
surfaces, respectively, between the distal end and the first and second
connecting areas, respectively; connecting the at least one first tab to
the pump shell or the turbine shell; partially disposing the second tab
in the opening; and, bending the second tab along a line connecting the
first and second indentations so that a portion of the second tab engages
the core ring.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein: forming the body of the blade
includes forming first and second blade side surfaces connected by the
blade edge surface; forming the second tab includes forming first and
second tab side surfaces continuous with the first and second blade side
surfaces, respectively; and, bending the second tab includes bending the
second tab such that the first or second tab side surface engages the
core ring.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the first tab edge surface
includes: forming a first portion between the first indentation and the
first connection area, and a second portion between the distal end and
the first indention; and, aligning the first and second portions.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the second tab edge surface
includes: forming a first portion between the second indentation and the
second connection area, and a second portion between the distal end and
the second indention; and, aligning the first and second portions.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a blade for a torque converter
requiring less force for connection to a core ring for the torque
converter. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a blade with undercuts
at a tab to reduce the force needed to bend the tab to secure the blade
to the core ring.

BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known to insert solid tabs for blades through a core ring for
a torque converter and to bend the tabs to secure the blades to the core
ring. Bending the solid tabs can require a significant amount of force,
which can cause the blade to be displaced, changing blade angles and
affecting characteristics of the torque converter dependent upon blade
configuration.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a blade
for a torque converter, including: a body with first and second blade
side surfaces and a blade edge surface connecting the first and second
blade side surfaces; and a first tab extending from the blade edge
surface and arranged for insertion through an opening in a core ring for
the torque converter. The first tab includes: a distal end furthest from
the blade edge surface; first and second tab edge surfaces in
communication with the distal end; and first and second indentations in
the first and second tab edge surfaces, respectively, between the distal
end and the blade edge surface. The core ring forms at least respective
portions of respective inner circumferences for a turbine and pump for
the torque converter. After insertion through the opening, the first tab
is arranged to be bent along a line connecting the first and second
indentations so that a portion of the first tab engages the core ring.

[0005] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a torque
converter, including: a turbine with a turbine shell; a pump with a pump
shell; a core ring with an opening passing through the core ring; and a
blade including: a body with a blade edge surface; at least one first tab
extending from the blade edge surface and connected to the pump shell or
the turbine shell; and a second tab extending from the blade edge surface
and partially disposed within the opening in the core ring. The second
tab includes: a distal end; first and second tab edge surfaces converging
at the distal end; and first and second indentations in the first and
second tab edge surfaces, respectively, between the distal end and the
blade edge surface. The second tab is bent along a line connecting the
first and second indentations so that a portion of the second tab engages
the core ring.

[0006] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method
of forming a blade for a torque converter, including: forming a body with
first and second blade side surfaces and a blade edge surface connecting
the first and second blade side surfaces; forming a first tab extending
from the blade edge surface and including a distal end furthest from the
blade edge surface; forming, on the first tab, first and second tab edge
surfaces in communication with the distal end; and forming first and
second indentations in the first and second tab edge surfaces,
respectively, between the distal end and the blade edge surface. The
first tab is arranged for insertion through an opening in a core ring for
the torque converter. The core ring forms at least respective portions of
respective inner circumferences for a turbine and pump for the torque
converter. After insertion through the opening, the first tab is arranged
to be bent along a line connecting the first and second indentations so
that a portion of the first tab engages the core ring.

[0007] According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method
of assembling a torque converter including: a turbine with a turbine
shell; a pump with a pump shell; and a core ring disposing between the
turbine shell and the pump shell and including an opening passing through
the core ring. The method includes: forming a body of a blade with a
blade edge surface; forming at least one first tab extending from the
blade edge surface; forming a second tab extending from the blade edge
surface. The second tab includes: a distal end; first and second tab edge
surfaces connected to the blade edge surface at first and second
connecting areas, respectively, and in communication with the distal end;
and first and second indentations in the first and second tab edge
surfaces, respectively, between the distal end and the first and second
connecting areas, respectively. The method includes: connecting the at
least one first tab to the pump shell or the turbine shell; partially
disposing the second tab in the opening; and bending the second tab along
a line connecting the first and second indentations so that a portion of
the second tab engages the core ring.

[0008] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure
will be readily appreciable from the following description of the
invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding
reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cylindrical coordinate system
demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application;

[0011]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an object in the cylindrical
coordinate system of FIG. 1A demonstrating spatial terminology used in
the present application; and,

[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B are details of exemplary embodiments of a tab with
undercuts; and,

[0016] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a torque converter with
a blade with tab undercuts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers
on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,
structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the
disclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0018] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited
to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and
as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology
used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and
is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0019] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary
skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be
understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent
to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the
disclosure.

[0020]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of cylindrical coordinate system 80
demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application. The
present invention is at least partially described within the context of a
cylindrical coordinate system. System 80 has a longitudinal axis 81, used
as the reference for the directional and spatial terms that follow. The
adjectives "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" are with respect to
an orientation parallel to axis 81, radius 82 (which is orthogonal to
axis 81), and circumference 83, respectively. The adjectives "axial,"
"radial" and "circumferential" also are regarding orientation parallel to
respective planes. To clarify the disposition of the various planes,
objects 84, 85, and 86 are used. Surface 87 of object 84 forms an axial
plane. That is, axis 81 forms a line along the surface. Surface 88 of
object 85 forms a radial plane. That is, radius 82 forms a line along the
surface. Surface 89 of object 86 forms a circumferential plane. That is,
circumference 83 forms a line along the surface. As a further example,
axial movement or disposition is parallel to axis 81, radial movement or
disposition is parallel to radius 82, and circumferential movement or
disposition is parallel to circumference 83. Rotation is with respect to
axis 81.

[0021] The adverbs "axially," "radially," and "circumferentially" are with
respect to an orientation parallel to axis 81, radius 82, or
circumference 83, respectively. The adverbs "axially," "radially," and
"circumferentially" also are regarding orientation parallel to respective
planes.

[0022]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of object 90 in cylindrical
coordinate system 80 of FIG. 1A demonstrating spatial terminology used in
the present application. Cylindrical object 90 is representative of a
cylindrical object in a cylindrical coordinate system and is not intended
to limit the present invention in any manner. Object 90 includes axial
surface 91, radial surface 92, and circumferential surface 93. Surface 91
is part of an axial plane, surface 92 is part of a radial plane, and
surface 93 is a circumferential surface.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a detail of the tab with undercuts shown in FIG. 2. The
following should be viewed in light of FIGS. 2 through 4. Blade 100 for a
torque converter includes body 102 with blade side surfaces 104 and 106
and blade edge surface 108 connecting the blade side surfaces. The blade
includes tab 110 extending from blade edge surface 108 and arranged for
insertion through an opening in a core ring for the torque converter as
further described below. Tab 110 includes distal end 112 furthest from
blade edge surface 108 and tab edge surfaces 114 and 116 in communication
with the distal end. In an example embodiment, tab edge surfaces 114 and
116 converge at the distal end Indentations 118 and 120 are located in
the tab edge surfaces 114 and 116, respectively, between the distal end
and blade edge surface 108.

[0026] The core ring forms at least respective portions of respective
inner circumferences for a turbine and pump for the torque converter, and
after insertion through the opening, tab 110 is arranged to be bent along
line 122 connecting indentations 118 and 120 so that portion 124 of the
tab 110 engages the core ring.

[0027] In an example embodiment, tab edge surfaces 114 and 116 are
connected to blade edge surface 108 at connecting areas 126 and 128,
respectively, and indentations 118 and 120 are located between the distal
end and connecting areas 126 and 128, respectively. In an example
embodiment, tab edge surface 114 includes portion 114A between
indentation 118 and connection area 126, and portion 114B between the
distal end and indention 118. In an example embodiment, portions 114A and
114B are aligned. For example, the respective surfaces forming portions
114A and 114B are co-planar. In an example embodiment, tab edge surface
116 includes portion 116A between indentation 120 and connection area
128, and portion 116B between the distal end and indention 120. In an
example embodiment, portions 116A and 116B are aligned. For example, the
respective surfaces forming portions 116A and 116B are co-planar.

[0028] In an example embodiment, tab 110 includes tab side surfaces 130
and 132 continuous with blade side surfaces 104 and 106, respectively,
and one of tab side surfaces 130 or 132 is arranged to engage the core
ring.

[0029] In an example embodiment, body 102 includes at least one tab 134
extending from blade edge surface 108 and arranged to engage a turbine
shell or a pump shell for the turbine or the pump, respectively, as
further described below.

[0030] FIGS. 5A and 5B are respective details of exemplary embodiments of
a tab with undercuts. In FIG. 5A, portions 114C and 116C of edges 114 and
116, respectively, are substantially parallel. In FIG. 5B, portions 114A
and 114D and portions 116A and 116D of edges 114 and 116, respectively,
are not aligned.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of torque converter 200
with blade 100 with tab undercuts. The following should be viewed in
light of FIGS. 2 through 6. Torque converter 200 includes pump 202,
turbine 204, and stator 206. Stator 206 is for multiplying torque as is
commonly known in the art. Pump 202 includes pump shell 208 and turbine
204 includes turbine shell 210. Converter 200 also includes core ring 212
with openings 214. The core ring forms at least a portion of the
respective inner circumferences for the pump and turbine. It is
understood that the pump and turbine includes respective pluralities of
blades. In FIG. 5, blades 100 are installed in both the pump and the
turbine. However, it should be understood that blades 100 could be
installed in only one of the pump or the turbine. Due to the location of
the cross-section line for FIG. 5, tabs 110 and 134 are not visible for
blade 100 in the turbine. Tabs 110 extend through openings 214 and are
bent over such that portion 124 of the tab contacts inner surface 216 of
the core ring. Tabs 134 are used to connect the blades to the pump shell
and the turbine shell.

[0032] Although blade 100 has been shown with a particular shape and
configuration, for example, position of tabs 110 and 134, it should be
understood blade 100 is not limited to the particular shape and
configuration shown and that other shapes and configurations are
possible. For example, tab 110 could be located on a different portion of
section 108A of the blade edge surface, tab 100 could have different
proportions, or tabs 134 could vary in number, shape, or location.
Although torque converter 200 has been shown with a particular
configuration and set of components, it should be understood that torque
converter 200 is not limited to the particular configuration and set of
components shown and that other configurations and sets of components are
possible. In general, blade 100 can be used with any hydraulic torque
transfer device having a turbine and/or a pump.

[0033] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and
other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably
combined into many other different systems or applications. Various
presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,
variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those
skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the
following claims.